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Virginia lawmaker’s iPad stolen when he stopped to help hit-and-run victim

Posted at 4:36 PM, Feb 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-16 19:19:55-05

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Del. Nicholas Freitas (R – Culpeper) was in the US Army Special Forces, a Green Beret, and served two tours in Iraq. His military training helps him react in stressful situations.

So on Tuesday, when Del. Freitas witnessed a woman get struck by a wrong-way driver on East Broad Street, near North Seventh Street, he jumped into action.

“Del. Freitas was walking down Broad St. when the hit and run occurred,” Freitas’ legislative aide said. “He ran over to help the woman who was hit, and set his bag down on the sidewalk.”

As he helped the injured woman, someone walked over, picked up Freitas’ bag and ran off, the aide said.  The delegate’s state-issued iPad and cell phone were in the stolen bag.

Capitol Police are now working to recover the stolen items.

The woman struck by the car was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

“A citizen witnessed the collision, called 911 and directed officers to the suspect vehicle. The driver was located a short distance away,” Richmond Police spokesman James Mercante said. “Jameshia Simmons, 22, of the 3800 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, was arrested and charged with hit and run and driving with a suspended operator’s license.”

The incident happened at about 12:17 p.m.

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